“I loved Simmons so much. Any time I meet someone who went to Simmons, I immediately feel like they're a sibling,” says Alec Chunn ’15MA/MS. “The people who go to Simmons are really invested in what they do and what they want to learn.”
While an undergraduate at Western Washington University, Chunn was already considering a graduate degree in writing or library and information science. His love of children’s literature led to devoted reading of The Horn Book in the university’s library. That’s where he learned about the Children's Literature and Library Science dual-degree program at Simmons.
When he spoke to Professor Cathryn Mercier, he knew it was the right choice.
“She asked about my background,” recalls Chunn. “She was embracing who I was and what I brought to the program. That was her approach.” Later, in Mercier’s “Criticism of Literature for Children” (CHL 401), when Mercier asked the class what “critical axe” they had to grind, Chunn knew he wanted to think about representations of LGBTQIA+ characters and masculinity in children’s literature.
“The people who know what they want to do with their art excel the most,” says Chunn, who draws parallels between Mercier’s approach to cultivating a student’s voice to the guidance offered on RuPaul’s Drag Race. “[The best mentor] doesn’t try to change who you are, but helps you see who you are.”
Seeking Excellence in Children’s Literature
The critical voice that Chunn developed at Simmons has served him well: he served on the jury for the American Library Association (ALA) 2025 Stonewall Book Awards, which recognizes LGBTQIA+ books, and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) 2021 Caldecott Medal for excellence in picturebooks. Chunn has written reviews for Kirkus and School Library Journal, and in 2022 was on the jury for the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature.
Reviewing children’s literature was “another dream come true from Simmons,” says Chunn, who took courses taught by former editor of Kirkus, Vicky Smith, editor of The Horn Book, Roger Sutton and contributing editor Martha V. Parravano '88MA. “Where else could I have taken courses taught by editors of two of the biggest children’s publication magazines within a two-year span? Those courses helped cultivate my reviewer voice. It was my dream to be quoted on the cover of a book!”
Chunn has achieved that dream, though Kirkus’ policy on anonymous reviews prevents him from revealing which of his reviews was quoted. He has also written for The Horn Book, including “Getting There: Taking a Trip Through Queer Kidlit,” co-authored with Stacy Collins '16MA/MS.
“I like being able to bring that critical voice to youth services,” says Chunn, who is currently a Youth Librarian at Multnomah County Library in Portland, Oregon. “The graduate program in children’s literature is really rigorous. I can still pick up a conversation on literature theory, even if I don’t use it every day.”
Sharing Insight as a Youth Services Librarian
As for his current day job, Chunn pronounces it “the best job in the world.” He works in the recently renovated Albina Branch, serving patrons of all ages. “I like doing all sorts of things, from storytime to hanging out with teens. This is the first job where I’ve been able to do all of that.”
He is also leaning into his interests (per Professor Mercier’s earlier advice) to offer programming for the LGBTQIA+ community. Chunn has established Rainbow Family Storytime, a storytime series especially for LGBTQIA+ families. Chunn and other Multnomah County Library staff presented a talk about the initiative at the 2024 ALSC National Institute.
In addition, Chunn oversees a student-led Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) for middle school students at the library. The program began as an effort to address the lack of summer programming for LGBTQIA+ youth, but is now held year-round.
“It has been really fulfilling,” says Chunn. “[Kids] can come to the library to chat, to make art, or just be themselves. It’s something I wish I had growing up. It’s nice to do things that help kids feel that they are exactly who they are meant to be.”
As a result, Chunn feels his career has led him exactly where he is meant to be.
“Offering queer representation in the field and building community spaces for families and teens has impacted the trajectory of my career,” he says. “The best position lets you be you, and lean into your interests. My job does that, and Simmons did that, too.”
Advice for Current Students Considering the Dual Degree
“Listen to your voice, but be open to changing your mind.” Chunn says that his career has been enriched by an appreciation for picturebooks that he developed at Simmons, inspired by then-faculty member Megan Dowd Lambert '02MA. “Take a class at the Eric Carle Museum. How lucky for Simmons to have that partnership, for students to see children’s books taken seriously!”
While the professors at Simmons are spectacular, Chunn advises students not to overlook their peers. “Take the time to meet your classmates! Whenever you see people later on at ALA, it feels amazing to be part of the community. Your classmates will be your people, even after graduation … I feel so proud of my Simmons classmates! All of us were able to take our unique points of view into our prospective fields. It’s an amazing program.”
Alec Chunn’s book recommendations:
- Outside In and the Inside Out: A Story About Arnold Lobel by Emmy Kastner (Viking Books for Young Readers, 2025)
- Most Ardently: A Pride and Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa '19MFA (Feiwel & Friends, 2024)
- Bad Badger: A Love Story written by Maryrose Wood, illustrated by Giulia Ghigini (Union Square Kids, 2025)
- The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker (Riverhead Books, 2020)